Hi folks,

I have a late 70s Eisentraut that I'm refurbishing. It came with Huret clamp-on DT shifters. I would like to fit it with Simplex Retro-friction shifters. In addition to the Huret band, I also have a clamp-on Simplex shifter set. It probably a Prestige model. Does anyone know if the braze-on type Retro-friction shifters will fit either of the bosses on these clamps?

Thanks and regards,

Van

I think as long as you have the square base on the boss, you should be good with regular braze on retrofrictions.

When you get them working, please post pictures.

IIRC, some of the band-mount Simplex retrofriction levers used a different diameter mounting bolt (IIRC, 4.5mm instead of 5mm) and might not fit in a standard braze-on boss. But the mounting bolt can be replaced, if that's the case.

Everything you need to know... (Don't let the title fool you.)

Quick and dirty how too documentation...

The project started out when I wanted to mount some retrofriction levers on a bike without brazed on bosses. Read the descriptions below the photos.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/282672...57627163433202


verktyg

Chas.

Chas helped me through this exact same problem last summer. Some Huret bands work, but not all. I got one advertised as compatible with modern threading... it was not. I went cheapo and got some new clamp-mounted DT shifters and modified the band to fit the Retrofriction shift levers. Works beautifully (even if it's Chinese, not French).

[MENTION=61614]verktyg[/MENTION]: Thank you, Chas, for all the details and photos you provided in this link. I've been puzzling over how to match my braze-on Simplex levers to a clamp and your contribution helped immensely.

So three or four questions: How do people grab hold of that nylon washer to pull the M5x0.8 bolt in the simplex lever? It seems too deep for a needle nose to grab. should I jam something like a toothpick along the side to pin the nylon washer while I turn the screw?

Second question: does anyone have a huret or the italian-made simplex band (mentioned by Chas in the flickr link) which take the M5x0.8 bolts?

Third question: will grinding the huret band with a dremel improve how it mates with the simplex lever (inbred lineage be damned)?

Does the campagnolo nuovo record band mate well with the simplex levers? I can't seem to find any good images of the band without the levers attached--at least with a quick google search.

I can paw through parts at a local bike kitchen and possibly find one of these clamps. Thanks all!
Best,
Leif

Just push the mounting screw for the tip with a thin rod or a small Philips screwdriver, all the way through till it pops off the other side of the shift lever assembly. The nylon washer will be left inside the lever well. Tap the shifter on a flat surface to make it fall out. Don't worry about possibly damaging the washer as it is only held on to the screw with friction. There are no threads on it.
To reinstall the washer on to the screw, just use a hollow tube to put the washer through the screw. Kinda reverse process from when you remove it.....
Frankly, I'm not sure if the nylon washer is really needed, as I suspect Simplex might have put it there so that the whole assembly stays together when it's not mounted on the shifter boss....
You can try it without the nylon washer and tell us if it still works OK......

So three or four questions: How do people grab hold of that nylon washer to pull the M5x0.8 bolt in the simplex lever? It seems too deep for a needle nose to grab. Should I jam something like a toothpick along the side to pin the nylon washer while I turn the screw?

As [MENTION=172094]Chombi[/MENTION] mentioned above ^ The plastic washer just keeps the mounting screws from falling out when the levers are not mounted. I just push the screws out with a punch or what ever fits in the hole. I don't bother putting them back in.



Some of the first generation Simplex Retrofriction levers had a metal spring washer holding the screws in. They were hard to remove.

Most French Simplex shift levers were mounted using "bâtard" 5mm x 1.0mm screws. The industry standard in 5mm x 0.8mm (Campy used 5mm x 32 tpi which is almost identical to 5mm x 0.8mm)

I've replaced the Simplex screws with industry standard 5mm x 0.8mm stainless steel socket head screws on Retrofriction Levers.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/282672...57627163433202


I bought several NOS Huret clamps on eBay (beware, they were made in 1" diameter for Schwinns as well as the standard 28mm - 1 1/8" diameter).



The clamps on earlier Huret levers that used proprietary cables with 'banjo" ends may wont work with anything but Huret levers (never tried them but...). Jubilee levers too...



The later style levers that used standard style cables with "barrel" ends are the ones that I've checked and the will work.




Simplex Retrofriction levers have a square on the rear that fits over the squares on clamp bands and brazed on lever bosses.



You may have to grind or file a little off of the corners of the squares on the clamps. See arrows on the picture below.




Earlier Campagnolo clamps have travel stops and cable guides which are pressed on. They wont work without destructive modification. Later levers with removable stops may work... I don't know...




verktyg

Chas.

Thank you, [MENTION=172094]Chombi[/MENTION] and [MENTION=61614]verktyg[/MENTION], I really appreciate the help and information here. Sorry I was obtuse about just pushing the screw through the plastic washer. That center punch idea is a good one. Before I got these notes, I bent a cheap fork so the tang held the washer in place while I unscrewed the bolt from the top.
Chas, I really appreciate all the photos and info on the different bands you've tried. I should be able to quickly recognize the compatible ones at the bike kitchen thanks to you.
[MENTION=61614]verktyg[/MENTION], I'm curious what software you use to mark up your photos with arrows, circles, and text. This always helps the explanations you offer.
Best,
Leif